Re “Realistic and Iconic — Why I Chose ‘Combined’ to Build Parcel B”
After years of fears, tears, handwringing and pails of pale emotions, the City Council, with stunning swiftness and no resistance, last night selected a developer for Downtown’s last orphan property, Parcel B, in front of The Culver Hotel.
If you can envision a fierce 20-year war ending with the excuse-me sound of a popgun, that was the precise response in Council Chambers when Combined Properties, Inc./Hudson Pacific was awarded the prized agreement.
Both companies have offices on Wilshire Boulevard, and their flair-driven, three-story office-retail proposal was judged the most spectacular of the submissions by the four finalists.
One (Wide) Step at a Time
Their project is expected to become the flamboyant new focal point of Downtown. It features two showcases, an Elevated Plaza and a lavish 50-foot wide Grand Stairs. Both are scheduled to accommodate public arts events in conjunction with presently sleepy Town Plaza.
Touted loudly eight years ago when the parking lot vanished and the movie theatre opened, Town Plaza was billed as the dream venue of creative Culver City entrepreneurs. Eight years later, the Plaza mainly serves as a resting place for the Downtown Business Assn.’s Christmas Tree, a space where excited residents gather on all but 364 days of the year.
The Council Chambers audience reaction reminded observers of actors studying a script for a silent film.
Meows, Bow-Wows Are Absent
Not even a meow wafted across the jammed Chambers where the four rival teams of builders were arrayed among a scattering of activists who clearly had spent their ammunition weeks, months and years ago.
There was noisier muttering over several Consent Calendar items than over Parcel B.
The Council conclusion not only was unanimous — not a disparaging syllable was uttered.
On a strikingly quiescent evening — mention of Parcel B used to signal fist-doubling time — 20 members of the audience spoke. With a single, uncommon exception, they gazed toward the dais and said passively, “Whatever you boys want is fine by me.”
For a Council that generally has sung in harmony for the two years it has been together, this was the legacy accomplishment of its tenure, regardless of what follows.
Deciding with Alacrity
The tidiest Council of recent times did its business workmanlike — a scant 60 days passed from the early October nights when the four bidders — the Runyon Group, Tolkin Group, Cardiff Realty Holdings and the winner with the elongated double name — employed grandiloquent language and displays to tempt and impress the decision-makers and the public.
When City Manager John Nachbar and the City Council said that 20 years was long enough to tap their feet and they wanted to make a call by mid-November, a howl arose from the usual activist suspects. They soon were satisfied.
Here are builder names to become familiar with over the next several years as the gem rises from the ground — favorite hometown architect Steven Ehrlich, Scott Ginsburg and Marianne Lowenthal of Combined and Chris Barton of Hudson Pacific.
Fare Thee Well?
On what was expected to be his semi-final appearance on the dais, at least for the present term, Scott Malsin, chair of the Redevelopment Agency, was in charge of the meeting. He ran it with efficiency, a minimum of chatter, crowning Combined/Hudson the champion in 19 speedy minutes.
Mayor Mehaul O’Leary spoke first when it became the Council’s turn to opine. He went on uncommittedly for a few minutes, saying he first wanted to hear from others.
Vowing “I will be brief,” Jeff Cooper, minus frills but sporting a fresh moustache, said succinctly, “I support Combined Properties.”
Without dalliance, Andy Weissman, next in line, established a broader tone. Turning orator and turning up the momentum, he gave a detailed explanation of the reasoning behind choosing the awkwardly-worded Combined Properties/Hudson Pacific. (Councilman Weissman’s presentation is carried nearby.)
Chris Armenta was as direct as Mr. Cooper, promptly tabbing Combined/Hudson. The rout was on.
Mr. O’Leary signed up next. Since none of the four proposals was perfect, said the Mayor, “I came in prepared to compromise.” He quickly anointed Combined/Hudson.
At 8:59, Mr. Malsin offered the ideal denouement:
“This is a fantastic night,” he said, “and I won’t belabor the point.”
